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Clara
queen bee
USA
4362 Posts |
 Posted - 09/12/2012 : 7:14:18 PM
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In the 1950s, a young Meg Swansen spent a month in Reykjavik. While she was there, she noticed these totally cool wheels of yarn (they called them "cheeses" apparently) that weren't even SPUN. She sent some to her mother, Elizabeth Zimmermann, who promptly became the U.S. distributor.
It's one of the lesser-known Icelandic yarn possibilities in this country, and yet it's totally worth your while - even if just to learn a little more about the nuance of wool. It defies the laws of all yarn, wearing like steel even though it has no twist whatsoever.
Here's this week's review!
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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SandyHarsh
New Pal
27 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2012 : 7:58:40 PM
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| Do you think this would be good for a shawl? I'm not talking lacy shawl but a warm, winter-worthy shawl. |
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gael1940
New Pal
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2012 : 05:01:51 AM
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You are completely correct about the durability of this wool. I have worn a sweater made of it for about 30 years, the only wear it shows is a little around the cuffs. It has gotten softer and more scrumptious over the years. People who say they can't wear wool seem oblivious that the sweater i have just loaned them is wool. I am a spinner as well as a knitter and have just recently started to spin long staple wool with less and less twist. Can't wait to try knitting with it!
gg |
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Purrknits
New Pal
2 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2012 : 05:49:18 AM
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| I used this yarn for the Feather and Fan Triangle Shawl in Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle and really enjoyed working with it. It did pull apart here and there but reattaching it is easy and I love the finished product. It is warm without being heavy and seems to be wearing well. The pattern itself makes a very large shawl, however, but could be easily made in a smaller size. |
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Bflexner
New Pal
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2012 : 09:31:14 AM
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| I'm glad to hear that this old friend is still around. The sweater that I made with it is older than my youngest child (37). I still wear it daily to go get the mail in the winter! It's like getting a hug from an old friend! |
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bellsonme@yahoo.com
New Pal
3 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2012 : 11:30:01 AM
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| Oh! Thank you for this review. I've got a couple of "plates" of this wool -- spinning it wasn't satisfying and I wasn't sure what to do with it. Now I think I'll get some more, and make a sweater with it! |
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Riaknits
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2012 : 12:55:15 PM
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| Thank you for your review of this wonderful yarn! I've often lamented the fact that most of my knitting friends were daunted by this yarn. It is a minor miracle how well it knits up & performs, and as you mentioned, the plying of 2 or more colors makes this a lot of fun to work with, too. Spot on. |
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terryknits2
New Pal
32 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2012 : 06:35:38 AM
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| I also have made the Feather and Fan shawl by Cheryl Oberle and did end up making it a bit small than called for and it is still plenty big. This yarn is fantastic for a shawl - lightweight and very warm. I then tried using this yarn to make mittens and wasn't as happy - couldn't pull stitches tight enough without breaking the yarn. My plan is to spin the yarn into a 2-ply and then knit mittens with it. Haven't yet tried a sweater, but it seems this yarn should work super well for sweaters and there are many sweater patterns that call for it. |
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Shalee
Permanent Resident
USA
2021 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2012 : 5:01:54 PM
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I bought quite a bit of it and my first project was a felted project. Knit on larger needles it felts up beautifully! I've considered using some of it like roving. Now I'm re-thinking that and wondering if a good heavy pullover for winter might be a better idea, I certainly have enough!
Sharon in NW PA
I always wanted my own library but I didn't realize it would be all knitting books!
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marfa
Permanent Resident
USA
1875 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2012 : 1:14:46 PM
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How do.
Clara, I appreciate your review for many things & among them were these: your writing of Elizabeth Zimmerman reminds us of a great icon, the same for Meg,this is a yarn of opportunities - great opportunities to knit great things!
Thanks to Schoolhouse Press for all you sell.
Martha
http://marfasmewsings.blogspot.com |
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theknitress
New Pal
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2012 : 07:24:36 AM
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Sounds like interesting yarn! What is the drape like? When you say it "wears like iron" I get that it with holds it's structure to the elements, but does that also mean it is rigid?
What items would you suggest would be the best for this yarn? I see shawls and sweaters mentioned in the comments. Does it have enough elasticity for, say, mittens?
Thanks!
Tamara |
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ikkivan
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
429 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2012 : 07:56:24 AM
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Tamara, if you will look up this yarn on Ravelry and then go to the projects, you will see LOTS of mittens made with Un-spun Icelandic. I have been researching possible projects since reading Clara's review, because I'm wanting to try it myself ... mittens are at the top of my list! Ravelry is usually my first stop when looking for information and ideas for using a specific yarn (or for suitable yarns for a specific pattern).
Donna, with intentions always bigger than her available time. (OkieDokieKnitter on Ravelry) |
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purlthis
Permanent Resident
USA
2715 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2012 : 4:00:51 PM
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I want to like it, but I know I would die a scratchy death. I'm just too sensitive.
Rachel
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As I get older, I prefer to knit. Tracey Ullman
http://purledthis.blogspot.com/ UPDATED! WITH PICS! |
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Un-spun Icelandic
